Water companies incorporated under the laws of this state which have or may have contracts to supply with waters, state or national homes for disabled soldiers, insane asylums, state or national schools for the correction and reformation of juvenile criminals, or any like institution of public charity, are empowered to condemn springs, creeks, and waters, and the riparian rights of lower owners for the purpose of furnishing such water supply. Such uses of waters for the objects here enumerated are each declared a public use.